Article

 

ARE EUROPEAN WORKS COUNCILS A VEHICLE FOR THE EUROPEANIZATION OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS? A STUDY FROM THE STANDPOINT OF PEOPLE MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVES (p.13-28)

by

Theodore Koutroukis, Democritus University of Thrace

Keywords : European Works Councils, Europeanization, Multinational Companies

JEL classification : J50, M54, J59

Abstract

The need for social partnership has resulted in the adoption of the European Works Councils (EWC) Directive. This regulation gives employees the right of information and consultation. This paper includes findings and assessment of a research project on EWCs. The research concentrates on the oil/lubricants and food/beverage sectors using several case studies and interviews with HRM Executives. The results indicate that EWCs contribute to the Europeanization in several aspects of employee relations, although that contribution has been limited in those issues that are wished by the MNCs.